Glasgow will host 2014 Commonwealth Games

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games after the Scottish city beat off a rival bid from Nigeria's Abuja on Friday.

The decision was announced by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell after its general assembly meeting held in the Sri Lankan capital.

Glasgow secured 47 votes against 24 for Abuja out of a total of 71 member countries. The two were the only candidates left to host the 20th edition of the quadrennial event.

"I can't believe it, it's fantastic," Louise Martin, the chairwoman of the 2014 Glasgow bidding team, told Reuters after the announcement with tears in her eyes.

Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was stoical in defeat, saying: "It's not the end of the world and interest in the Commonwealth and the efforts in sports will continue unabated."

Scotland has hosted the Games twice, in 1970 and 1986, both times in the capital Edinburgh.

Explaining the federation's decision, Fennell said: "The Glascow bid was very well prepared. It was clear that they had an excellent understanding of the requirement -- with the experience of hosting the Games."

In early March, the Atlantic Canadian city of Halifax withdrew its bid amid criticism of the growing cost of hosting the event and a perceived lack of transparency in the bid process.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Scotland's Deputy First Minister, told the Glasgow 2014 bid Web site (www.glasgow2014.com) the decision was "a momentous day for Scotland, not just in terms of sporting achievement but also in our bid to inspire a whole generation to live healthier, more physically active lifestyles.